Wheel Bearing Replacement

Well 129K on the truck and I hear a hum like a mud tire on the highway. Left front is grinding with the truck jacked up. Went to Autozone and got the Dorman hub assembly for $141.99 each. Replaced the driver’s side this afternoon and will replace the passenger side in the morning. Then out for a test drive.

 

Old hub assembly off and new one on.

 

My passenger side wheel bearing bit the dust at about 105k. Local dealership wanted 1100 bucks to replace! I bought two from Rock Auto for 230 bucks and my local mech did the job, total cost was under 500 bucks.

 

I watched all the youtube videos, and there are a TON with bad advice. This one is by far the easiest and best for those with 4wd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LId0MgZ37OA

That video is of a 4runner, but it is the same design as the Tacoma bearing/hub. He even includes torque specs. I don't know the guy but appreciate good how-to's. This is an easy job if done with a preassembled bearing/hub and following his method.

 

I did mine today. Detroit Axel hubs/bearing assembly, 14mm wrench for the brake line harness, 17mm wrench for the caliper bolts and hub mounting bolts and a 35mm impact socket for the axel bolt (4x4)

easy install and holy hell, my truck sounds better. No more groans and squeaks

 

best $140 I've ever spent

 

If you guys are looking for a way to properly torque the bolts that are behind the wheel hub you will need whats called a torque adapter but if you’re good with tools and you know how to weld take the 17 mm closed ended of a combination wrench cut the wrench and a half and weld it into the mouth of a 13 mm crows foot with a 3/8 drive.
Then you’ve just made your own torque adapter, be able to torque the assembly bolts to 59 ft.lbs. for 2nd gens

 

With a welder you can have almost any tool your mind can conceive! The beauty of welding....

 

When I worked in a shop, we had a whole shelf of tools we called the "loaner tools". Miscellaneous cheap tools we had aquired. Whenever someone came in and wanted to borrow a tool, we just took them to the loaner tools. That way if they didn't bring it back, we didn't care. One year, I was at the shop late and some trick or treaters came by. I dropped combination wrenches in their bags. They were ecstatic. Anyway, when we needed a Z shaped box end wrench that fit on a 12" extension, or something, we just grabbed stuff, heated, bent, welded, etc.

A socket welded on the end of a 2' long piece of 1/4" X 1" flatbar works great for spring loaded serpentine belt tensioners.

 

Replaced my front wheel bearings at 200k. regeared at 220 k and had a bad whine from front axle so I pulled shafts out ad ran it two wheel drive to isolate noise ( diff or tranny), Noise was gone but two miles later , 75 mph, a front wheel bearing let go. Almost lost wheel, rotor broken. . Did this fail because I pulled shafts out? Parts look up shows the same wheel bearing for base and prerunner. Base is so vague, 4wd or 2wd? Why did my wheel fall off? Need to fix this before I figure front axle problem.

 

I did the bronze bushing from East coast gear when i re geared. did not know if noise was gear set up or bushing. did wonder about bushing and heavier oil thy recommend. Too many variables, thats why I pulled shafts and ran 2wd. Local mechanic told me the shafts hold the bearing together but when i look up parts, base and pre runner are the same. What he fuck does Base mean? 2wd or 4wd?

 

Great video. That guy was a riot!

 

Yes, the outer CV joint holds the bearing together. Same design with all front wheel drive cars. I wouldn't push a vehicle around the parking lot without outer CV joints. You're lucky you didn't flip your truck. The bearing is the same for 4WD and prerunner, but the hub is different. The prerunner hub is threaded on the inner end ad has a big spanner nut that is tightened and staked.

 

This is definitely the easier route to go!

 

Hey everybody, new member. I bought my '05 Tacoma new and have since driven the wheels off it, almost literally. 280K on the odometer and need to replace my left front bearing assembly for the second time. I ordered one from BamaToy July 3rd but haven't heard a peep from him since. Has anyone heard from him lately?

 

Pretty sure he’s been banned from this site for a while now for ripping ppl off. You should prob try to get your money back if it was thru PayPal.

 

Damn well that blows. Is there another vendor here who’s reliable?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-bearings-hubs-press-service-4x4-prerunner-nsk.537080/

 

Thanks. I found that thread after I placed the order with BamaToy. Didn't want to make the same mistake twice so I appreciate the feedback.

 

Update on BamaToy. I disputed the charge with American Express yesterday. This morning I got an email from Bama's company, MarionBumper2Bumper, saying my order status is now "Cancelled." Not sure what his deal is, but zero communication other than my original order confirmation and now this cancellation. This after I left two voicemails, sent an email, and PM'ed him here. Strange.